Joe Thornton, Brent Burns set to play in milestone games for the Sharks this season

Share this:

Erik Karlsson (65) talks to Brent Burns (88) before a faceoff during their preseason game against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center in San Jose on Sept. 27, 2018. Burns is set to play in his 1,000th NHL game this season. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

SAN JOSE — The grind of a six-month regular season for the Sharks begins Wednesday at home against the Anaheim Ducks and let’s face it, only the most die-hard fans will be able to watch every period of all 82 games.

And if we’re being honest, some games just stand out a bit more than others.

To help sort everything out, here are 10 games this season that every Sharks fan should take time to watch.

Oct. 3 vs. Anaheim Ducks, SAP Center — There’s nothing quite like opening night. Players are introduced one-by-one, Erik Karlsson will make his regular-season debut in a Sharks uniform, and to boot, one of San Jose’s most bitter rivals, the Ducks are in town.

Oct. 18 vs. Buffalo Sabres, SAP Center — The Sabres? Really? Well, sure, it will be nice to get a look at defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, the future phenom that went No. 1 overall in June after the Sabres won the draft lottery. But the biggest reason to show up or tune in will be to watch Joe Thornton’s 1,500th NHL game, a milestone only 20 other players have reached. Thornton is at 1,493 games played right now.

Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

Nov. 15 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, SAP Center — The Leafs are always a draw, but there will be a couple storylines heading into this one. Patrick Marleau returns to the Shark Tank and John Tavares comes to San Jose after he spurned the Sharks in free agency. What kind of reception will he get?

Nov. 20 vs. Edmonton Oilers, SAP Center — This still has the makings of a really good Pacific Division rivalry. Seeing Connor McDavid — favored to win another Art Ross Trophy this season — play is reason enough to tune in.

Dec. 1 at Ottawa Senators, Canadian Tire Centre — There’s no doubt a ton of emotion will be in the building when Karlsson returns to Ottawa for the first time as a member of a visiting team. Karlsson is to Ottawa what Patrick Marleau and Thornton are to San Jose.

Dec. 27 vs. Anaheim Ducks, SAP Center — Seeing another game against the Ducks? No, that’s not it. The biggest reason to watch is that it stands to be Brent Burns’ 1,000th NHL game. Burns enters this season with an ironman streak of 389 games, and is at 961 games for his career.
Sharks forward Melker Karlsson (68) celebrates a goal by right winger Barclay Goodrow (not shown) as Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) watches in a Jan. 15 game in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Jan. 7 vs. Los Angeles Kings, SAP Center — A small quirk in the schedule in that the Kings visit San Jose for the final time in the 2018-19 regular season in early January. So unless the teams meet in the playoffs, it’s the final time Sharks fans can get their hate on for Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jonathan Quick, etc.

Jan. 15 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, SAP Center –– A close call between watching this game or seeing the Feb. 14 game vs. the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. But Pittsburgh usually has a lively group of supporters present, and Sharks games against the Penguins are typically pretty entertaining.

Jan. 26, NHL All-Star Game, SAP Center — Even if you’re not a fan of the all-star game and its format, coming down to San Jose and experiencing everything that goes on over the weekend will be a rare treat. Good chance, too, that least a couple of Sharks suit up for the event.

March 30 vs. Vegas Golden Knights, SAP Center — There’s already a few people predicting that the Sharks and Golden Knights will be the two best teams in the Pacific Division. If so, this late-season clash could go a long way in determining who will earn the division’s No. 1 seed for the playoffs.

Curtis Pashelka is the San Jose Sharks reporter for the Bay Area News Group. Prior to covering the Sharks, Curtis served as the high school sports editor for the East Bay. He also worked as a general assignment reporter covering motorsports, golf and college basketball, and as a backup writer on the A's, Giants and Warriors. He started at the organization in 2000 and spent close to eight years covering high school sports.